The story so far:

----Zuri waits for Aija to wake. When she goes to check on Luka, she hears Nala talking to Z'our. Thieron tells Aija he's in love with her. Aija tells him she hates him. Thieron is stunned by Aija's non-acceptance of him. Thieron accepts Irih'va's offer to work for the Crown. Rei gets back with Vincent. Wiet publicly executes Gale members, Rei is upset that he isn't able to do more for his people. Luka speaks with his former mentor and tells him he's quitting the Ithi'hra. Aija and Irhi'va speak in the Throne Room. When Irih'va kisses her she kisses him back but realises she cares more for Thieron. Irih'va is devastated when Aija leaves. Ruyanir is scared for Ze. She hopes he wins. Ze wins against Na'thwir. Zuri and Nala attend the Red-Moon festival. The Gale releases their video on the Main-Lands. They bring the Leadership down. Mike Wiet escapes, Rei asks Je'ai to catch him. Aija accepts Thieron.

----Ze is blessed and becomes the Ema'i of the Zayr.

----Thieron gives Aija the blade-blessings.

✽✽✽

****34.2 THIERON****

The beginning of time.

Gods rule.

A sword; blade sharp, power pure.

Two to wield; one to die.

'*' '*'

Free in the skies, upon a Ro'ein; the air rushing past, his hair wild with frenzy.

'*' '*'

White till the eyes could see.

Bot snow...white sand.

A new place, yet, home.

'*' '*'

Silky-snow strands, gold intertwined.

Pale as the moon, bright as the stars.

Eyes of ember, eyes of the sun.

'I will always, always, always, return to you.'

'I will always wait.'

'*' '*'

Suns bright over the Vou'ran.

A Ro'ein stood on the peak, a Spirit by it. Thieron went to them, steps purposeful. The Spirit was familiar, the one with Aija. Thieron didn't know his name. The Spirit's white wings made Thieron's back itch from the memory of his own as Ytai. The Ro'ein, wings tucked back, awaited Thieron, its mismatched eyes observing him.

'Who are you?' the Spirit questioned; his voice skittered over Thieron's bones, causing a shiver to comb through him.

'Ah'n,'

'Who are you?'

Thieron frowned. He remembered a sword; two to wield, one to die.

'A weapon,' Thieron stood straighter.

'Who are you?' the Ro'ein asked.

'Ro'ere sah!'

'*' '*'

Thieron gasped awake.

Breathing loudly, he opened his eyes, feeling Aija's body against his. He drew her closer and lay there, dumbfounded.

Ro'ere sah. Gods' blade.

What in the universe did that mean? Such a dream had never touched him, a dream that claimed him a weapon. What were those visions? If he closed his eyes, he could still see those amber eyes. Irih'va had those eyes. But Irih'va's hair was black-gold, not white-gold.

If it was before, Thieron would've dismissed the dream as just that – a dream. But his dreams about Aija had come to pass, and he'd seen the Spirit in real life. The dream caressed his mind with iciness. It took effort to calm; he focussed on Aija's deep breaths, thumb creating circles on her bare shoulder, more to soothe himself.

It felt rapturous to have all of Aija to himself, just the two of them in the cosy room, the stars above them. Amatory. Peaceful.

Gradually, the sourness coating him stripped off as Aija's presence varnished him with tranquillity.

Yet, the words, Ro'ere sah, remained in the air tugging at the cusps of his memory.

Knocks on the door alarmed Thieron. Who could it be in the middle of the night? Thieron searched for his pants in the tangle of clothes and blankets as another set of knocks hit the door; Thieron had compelled it locked. He slipped into the pants and commanded the door open.

Irih'va stood on the other side; his expression rattled Thieron. "We need to talk," Irih'va's eyes roved over Thieron's bare torso.

If the Emperor had come himself in the middle of the night, it was grave news. Irih'va could've summoned Thieron; he had every right to. But he'd chosen to come. Irih'va took a step in, his eyes landing on the bed. Aija's bare back peeked from under the covers. Irih'va's lips parted, eyes flitting to Thieron. They took in Thieron's bare torso, tousled hair, understanding dawning in his amber eyes; the same eyes from Thieron's dream. Irih'va went rigid. He took a step back into the hallway. "Let' talk outside."

Thieron moved to follow. Irih'va understood well what had happened, what it meant to have Aija there. Thieron loved his friend, but Aija had chosen him. She could've gone to Irih'va, but she'd come to him. She'd taken her time to consider and reconsider, Thieron knew. Those days after their kiss, she'd disappeared to think of what it meant to be with him. And Aija had come back to Thieron. Thieron didn't fear losing her to Irih'va. Although, he did feel bad, for Irih'va was his friend.

"Get dressed," Irih'va's voice went low, a command. "Come to the library." He didn't wait, leaving for the library next door.

Ru'n Lwr'vyn and Ru'n Ve'dir, who'd stood behind their Emperor, appeared sad. They followed Irih'va.

Thieron took in a steadying breath. He pulled his gw'xron over his shoulders, stroked Aija's black-white hair, kissed her, and strode out. On the way, he brushed his hair away from his face, combing through it with his fingers, making himself presentable.

Irih'va stood by the glass-wall, looking out into the night. The few lights in the Capital twinkled golden.

"Irih'va,"

Irih'va didn't turn, but his hands clasped at the back clenched. Thieron hoped he hadn't offended him, not lost their friendship.

"Please sit, Ah'n," Irih'va's voice wasn't unkind.

Thieron glanced at the guards. Ru'n Lwr'vyn nodded, mouth set in a grim line. Whatever it was, it was terrible. Thieron pulled a chair and sat.

Irih'va faced him. He stood still, surveying him, then approached him. Irih'va startled everyone by kneeling in front of Thieron.

Thieron stood at once, shocked. "Irih'va, you can't do this. Not anymore. I'm in your Guard; you can't kneel to me."

"I come as your oldest friend, Ah'n. Sit,"

Thieron, panting, sought the approval of the Guards. They stood, frozen, expressions unchanged, mouths shut.

"Ah'n,"

Thieron sat, uncomfortable.

Irih'va took Thieron's hands into his; Irih'va's touch was soft. "There's no way to put this,"

Thieron waited, heart pounding.

"On Earth, on the South-Land," Irih'va spoke, "my Guard, Nir, is my informant. They saw Ytai activity on the island - the H'eon and the R'ies, working together."

Thieron grimaced.

"They were handling In'ealk to use again."

"What?"

"Etrie Ay'tir's involved, but Nir couldn't capture him. They have an Àvo, which they almost used. They had sufficient souls."

"How...? I thought Ithi'hra... Oh, H'eon had moved several In'ealk before."

Irih'va nodded; his grip on Thieron's hands hardened.

"Nir captured the one using the Àvo. He was just in time. But, there is still a threat."

"You want me to go handle it on your behalf?"

Irih'va huffed. He glimpsed at their clasped hands and then back at Thieron. "This isn't easy for me to say, Ah'n. The one using the Àvo wanted to destroy Earth, obliterate the planet. Nir caught her, but it's been hard to make her speak. Perhaps, she'll listen to you."

"Me?"

"It's your cousin, Ea. Air's daughter, Ea." 

Thieron was glad he sat. He felt the world shatter beneath him, heart lurching in agony.

"No...Irih'va,"

"Ah'n. It is Ea."

✽✽✽

****END OF PART THREE****